MLB Trade Deadline 2025: Date, Time Announced Ahead of Regular Season

The trade deadline for the 2025 MLB season has been set.

Clubs must complete any trades this season by Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m. ET, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Last season's trade deadline took place on Tuesday, July 30 at 6 p.m. ET. The 2023 deadline took place on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

Prior to the 2022 season, the annual trade deadline took place each July 31 at 4 p.m. ET. The commissioner is currently able to choose any date between July 28 and Aug. 3 "in an effort to avoid conflicting with games," per MLB.com.

Only three games are scheduled for July 31 as the Tampa Bay Rays play the New York Yankees, the Atlanta Braves take on the Cincinnati Reds and the Texas Rangers meet the Seattle Mariners.

Moving the deadline back one day allows MLB to avoid a busy Wednesday, July 30, which sees all 30 clubs in action.

The list of players who could be playing on expiring contracts by the time the upcoming deadline hits include Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker.

The trade deadline change was negotiated as part of the new collective bargaining agreement that runs from the 2022 to 2026 seasons.

The deadline rules could change again as MLB and MLPA negotiate the next CBA ahead of the 2027 season. Early reports indicate upcoming discussions could center around a potential salary cap.

For now MLB will look ahead to the 2025 season, which opens on Tuesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 19 in Tokyo.